This quote makes sense to me. When we write, we write for a reason. Maybe we "have" to (it's assigned or a grade or a task at work). Maybe we want to share our day with friends on Facebook or in an email or text. Maybe we are inspired to write a song or a poem. With most writing, someone will read it, think about it, be affected by it. Will that change the reader? Will it change the writer?
In some small way, it usually does. It could be a temporary change (wow, nice wording. Cool. Interesting.) It could influence someone to visit the place you wrote about or avoid a restaurant with bad service.
I like that I could affect someone, my writing could change someone, even for the brief moment he or she is reading my work. It matters. My time and energy were not wasted. I have thoughts, feelings, and experiences others care to read about.
My writing does not have to be "literature" meant to be read for the next 50-100 or more years by academics. It will not be made into a movie or book. Those are not my expectations. And that's okay. Considering the number of poorly written books and scripts, I would not want my blogging especially to be turned into something like that.
What have you read lately that has changed you in some way?
That reminds me of how ancient storytellers went around and spoke the stories word-for-word because no one could write it down. The whole story of The Odessey and Beowulf were spoken for generations only by word of mouth. I imagine some of it was accidently altered and/or taken out to make it easier but it is still a very long story in itself to memorize like that.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how different the original would have been if it was written.
I like the quote and how it relates to writing but in a way it works for more than just writing. In order to affect change for the good, sometimes all you can do is try and improve your little corner of the world, be it your family, your town, or maybe even your classroom. But if everyone improves their little corner of the world somehow, be it through writing, activism, or just by trying to be a good person, then bit by bit the world will become a better place.
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